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The 30min skirt

This post is dedicated to those who want to learn how to sew and love speedy projects which yield great results that don’t compromise quality.

Ready?

Here we go!

Today we are making a skirt. An absolute staple for the summer. Although I don’t care much for them in my everyday life I do find it wise to have a skirt on the ready.

This project came to be out of pure necessity. Contrary to my declaration to sew only from my stash, I caved and bought some fabric to make another pair of Emerson pants. After cutting my piece I was left with quite the yardage left. My first thought was to make a pair of shorts but I never wear them. I am team #longshorts.

Then I remembered that I had zero knee-length skirts. Since I highly gravitate towards them when travelling by car or going to the beach or pool, I decided to go for it. I wanted something breezy and simple. Thus, I settled for an elastic waistband.

Note: While writing this, I realized that this project is almost identical with my tutorial on how to make a half slip. If you haven’t sewn one already, do it. I wear mine almost every time I wear a skirt. It makes the skirt look that much better.

All you need is:

Fashion fabric of choice

Coordinating thread

A piece of elastic

Measurements

Using your measuring tape take the following measurements: Waist, Hips, Length. If you want to know how to take your own measurements I have included a small guide here.

Now you need to make some very simple calculations.

First, multiply the circumference of your hips by x=1.2 – 1.5 depending on how full you want your skirt to be. I opted to go for 1.3 because I carry most of my weight on the bottom half of my body. Too, much fullness would visually add to that. If this number is smaller than 150cm you will be working with one long rectangle. Add 1” seam allowance on both sides.

(Hips * x) + (2 * 1”) = Your Width

Now we will calculate the length of your fabric. The equation will look like this:

(Desired Length + Width of Elastic + 2 ¼ ”) = Your Length

2” for hemming and ¼” to create the tube for the elastic at the waistband.

I know it might seem confusing but it will all work out.

Sewing

First, as always gather your supplies.

Then cut your fabric to your required dimensions that you have just calculated. If your Width number is equal to or smaller than 60” then you will need one long rectangle. If it is bigger you will work with two rectangles. In this case, your second step is creating one long rectangle by sewing together with RST the ones you have cut along their short side. The rest of the steps are the same.

First, I would recommend finishing all your sides with your preferred method. I surged them since linen frays a LOT!

Now with RST stitch the side seam with a straight stitch.

Using your iron make a crease ¼ “from the top long side. Then make another one as wide as your elastic. Side note: In my experience ¼” wide elastic is not a very good choice since it screams “homemade” NOT handmade, is very uncomfortable and doesn’t last long.

Now, stitch it around as if to create a tube. You have to leave a big enough opening to pull your elastic through. Insert elastic using a safety pin. Secure the elastic using your preferred method. Stitch the casing closed. If you find that your seam allowances tend to go upwards you can stitch them down, like I did. The next photo shows exactly this.

To make your hem iron the bottom of the skirt towards the wrong side of the skirt. Use your preferred method of hemming. I opted for a blind hem stitch and had great results.